Overview
Wildlife Conservation Expedition in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Joining this wildlife expedition will take you to one of the beautiful areas of the Amazonian rainforest to research endangered species and help vital local community projects. Living in the lush Amazonian Rainforest, expedition members will work alongside international researchers and local students and teachers, and receive on-site training to carry out a variety of projects involving scientific investigation and education. Projects include helping with wildlife conservation initiatives (identifying and cataloguing local mammal, reptile, bird, amphibian and plant species) and teaching English to the local community. As part of a community project GVI and its partner have also established an innovative education center for students from local communities on the Napo River.

There are a number of side trips expedition members can enjoy, which are designed to aid and enhance your experiences on this once-in-a-lifetime Amazon expedition. College credit may be available for those attending this expedition. Consult GVI’s college credit page for helpful tips and advice.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Paddling along a narrow channel with the beetle larvae lighting up the floating weeds like stars and the caiman eyes glowing red in the torchlight before sinking without sound under our canoe. We felt like the luckiest people alive!

Clare Stringer, 2006 expedition member

What Difference Does This Expedition Make?

GVI is making a difference in Ecuador’s Amazon by supporting the Yachana Foundation and local efforts to preserve the rainforest and its extraordinary diversity of plants and animals. These efforts include promoting sustainable economic and agricultural alternatives for its inhabitants, many of whom are from poor, indigenous communities. Expedition members have been compiling valuable species lists of animal life found within Yachana's private land reserve. This has resulted in the discovery of a rare species of glass frog, which further strengthens the documented conservation value of the area.

Highlights

Enjoying the intensive in-camp training to gain basic knowledge of the environment; experiencing the sights and sounds of the tropical rainforest; spending nights camping out in the rainforest; setting photo-trapping equipment to see what you can catch on film; enjoying wildlife observation from the river; experiencing the rainforest at night on nocturnal frog and mammal surveys; discovering rare and possibly new species; learning bush skills and rainforest ecology; exploring different parts of the Amazon; working with and training local students and the local community and learning how to navigate in the forest.

Skills And Qualifications Received

Tropical forest ecology, Forest biodiversity survey techniques, Identification skills, BTEC in Biological Survey Techniques (optional), Specimen preparation and preservation (depending on availability), Introduction to Ethno-botany (depending on availability), Jungle crafts, Introduction to TEFL, First Aid & CPR training (certification optional), Kichwa culture and language, Introductory Spanish, Vegetation/habitat mapping, Interpersonal skills.

See Requirements And Training page for more information

Location

You will be based on 1,800 hectares of (mainly) primary rainforest on lands neighbouring the tiny village of Mondaña, located on the Napo River between the cities of Tena and Coca, in the eastern part of Ecuador. On the south side of the river is Yachana Eco-Lodge (an internationally-recognised, award-winning ecotourism lodge) and Yachana High School. GVI’s expedition site is located on the north side of the river and is reached via a combination of bus and motorised canoe.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Field Conditions

The expedition base camp is located adjacent to the Napo River in a cleared area within the rainforest. It contains a dormitory-style residence that has cooking facilities, showers and toilets, and provides expedition members with all the basic conditions for sleeping, eating, working and relaxing.

See Life on the expedition page for more information

Internships

A ten-week internship is available for qualifying expedition members. See Internships for further information.

See Internships page for more information